Dating is fun, easy and effortless — at least when it’s with the right person. But when do you decide to make the “big move” and physically live together? Not just fun sleepovers — I’m talking about moving all your shit under one roof and giving your best shot at cohabiting together. Everything out in the open. No tampon, pimple cream, or bathroom break will go unnoticed.
Losing privacy and taking the next step, isn’t that what it’s all about? Making your relationship grow into what you’re hoping becomes your future. But playing house 5x a week is different than sharing rent, space and your most intimate private habits.
Moving in together is a huge step and I’m all for it if that’s what you both want. But you must admit, there’s a lot to think about:
Lease: what if you have a bad breakup and that person totally screws you? Your name is on the lease and you will be responsible for $1,400 a month rent.
Privacy… if I don’t wear my retainers, my teeth will eventually get crooked. Then what? All the money my parents spent on braces go down the drain because I’m too embarrassed to pull them out at night. Big potty — it’s nothing to boys, but with girls, it’s a completely different story. How are you supposed to go when your lover can hear you through the wall? We all have a list of little things we don’t want the other to acknowledge.
Bills/Money… your financial history will be exposed. You’ll have to be honest with each other about your income, debt and account balances. That can be scary to most of us in our 20′s.
When it’s all out in the open, the real you comes out. Your significant other will either love and appreciate your flaws or kick you to the curb. Living together gives your relationship a 50/50 chance. Sometimes it strengthens a relationship and other times it causes it to crumble.
But, like love, it might be a risk worth taking.
If you feel it and you’re both on-board, I say full speed ahead. But living together is a whole new ballgame. It takes your relationship to the next level both physically and mentally. If you aren’t prepared to handle it, don’t make the move. Things will be exposed, gross things, great things, sweet things — but know that your relationship will be different than when you lived separately. For better or worse, if your name is on that lease, you better make sure it’s worth it.
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